Chapter 28 The Legend Begins 1 Actually, the reason I was able to find you all this time was because...

Qiu Xiaoman was quite surprised. She didn't expect Feng Shengnan to be among the group of children. According to the timeline, the five of them had been in the forest for three days and three nights. She couldn't imagine how much perseverance, courage, and wisdom it would take to survive.

Looking at the solid fence and the sharp, sturdy sticks in front of her, she was absolutely certain that Feng Shengnan had made it.

Feng Shengnan's adoptive parents in Yunnan were farmers who made their living off the mountains. Her adoptive father was in his fifties and had been skilled at hunting since he was a child, having followed his elders in hunting.

Her adoptive mother was a local barefoot doctor with excellent medical skills, and she often took her into the mountains to collect medicinal herbs.

The couple had a son and a daughter, and they treated Feng Shengnan as their own, loving her dearly.

Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived. One year, her adoptive father fell off the mountain and died. Her adoptive mother went to search for his body and never returned.

Feng Shengnan could only live with her grandparents there. Now that her grandparents are old, they really can't afford to raise three children anymore. They can only hope that Feng Shengnan will go out to work and supplement the family income.

Without hesitation, Feng Shengnan chose to come to Beidu. She planned to first ask her biological parents for some money to send to her younger siblings there, and then consider finding a job.

She never expected to be abducted before she even saw her parents. Along the way, she suffered a lot, but she also learned to take on the responsibilities of an older sister.

Qiu Xiaoman was quite relieved. She quickly handed Xiaobai over to Jiang Mingyuan, opened the gate of the fence, and went over to check on Feng Shengnan's condition.

Feng Shengnan's eyes were brimming with tears. She was happy but also a little embarrassed. When Qiu Xiaoman wiped her tears, she blushed, bit her lip, and didn't dare to say a word, for fear that Qiu Xiaoman would make fun of her.

But no, the expected blame and reprimand did not appear; only silent care did not come.

Qiu Xiaoman took off her coat and draped it over her shoulders. She had bought it before setting off. It was cold on the road, and she wanted to wear something over her floral cotton-padded jacket. Jiang Mingyuan recommended a pink wool coat, which would be perfect for a young lady.

After taking off her coat, she went to check on the two little girls with fevers by the firewood, stood up and said, "Brother Jiang, these two children have fevers, come and help them."

Liu Xiangyang, who was standing to the side, did not receive the same treatment as Feng Shengnan. He could only lower his head, silently put down the stick in his hand, and sigh.

It's a pity he's not a girl. He realized this on the train; Sister Xiaoman always took extra care of the girls, but was a bit cold to them boys.

It's understandable, really. They're both teenagers, it's not appropriate for them to be too close, they're not blood siblings.

He stepped aside slightly to make way for the adults. Jiang Mingyuan glanced at him as he passed by. This was Liu's long-lost grandson. What a pity, the Liu family had too many descendants, they really didn't need one more.

He took off his military overcoat, which was quite old, having been worn by his father in the 1970s, but it was exceptionally warm and thick.

Liu Xiangyang thought he was going to give himself to him, and his eyes showed a hint of expectation. But Jiang Mingyuan quickly walked past him, covered the two feverish little girls with his military coat, and then called out to his other companions to share some coats with them to keep the children warm.

Liu Xiangyang, who had just been overwhelmed by disappointment, cheered up again. Phew, there are still people who care about him.

Another policeman draped a woolen coat over him, and he obediently said thank you, uncle, before getting up to help Feng Shengnan up from the ground.

Feng Shengnan was so exhausted that she couldn't stand up straight, so he could only hold her up for support.

The brief alternation between extreme sorrow and joy left Feng Shengnan in a daze, feeling that everything was so dreamlike and unreal.

Just minutes ago, she thought she was going to die, but now she was surrounded by a coat still warm from Qiu Xiaoman's body, surrounded by noisy but caring voices, and enveloped by a sense of security that felt like her feet were on the ground.

That's great, she can live! That's great!

Unconsciously, her tears were washed away by joy, and her lips turned up uncontrollably, with a sense of satisfaction and tranquility after hardship. Even the barking of the dog sounded so beautiful and delightful.

Soon, the adults carried the two feverish girls away, and Qiu Xiaoman came over and called the other three to go back to the police station together.

Feng Shengnan finally came to her senses, grabbed Qiu Xiaoman's hand tightly, and said excitedly, "Sister Xiaoman! Zhao Qing has been sold! She was bought by a fierce old man! It's all my fault, all my fault, I've ruined Zhao Qing. Can you save Zhao Qing? She's a good girl, it's all my fault for being so foolish!"

"Don't worry, when we get to the police station, just tell us everything you know, and we'll do our best. This is Comrade Jiang Mingyuan from the Beidu Anti-Trafficking Office. He's very experienced, so don't worry." Qiu Xiaoman didn't want to take credit, and besides, she had just started working and was still a police dog handler in her probationary period, not yet a proper police officer.

Naturally, Jiang Mingyuan was tasked with contacting various parties.

Jiang Mingyuan was a very upright man and did not want to take credit. He frankly said, "Actually, it was all thanks to Xiao Qiu that we were able to find you this time. This Pomeranian was arranged by the white dog she adopted. If it weren't for the Pomeranian's timely intervention, you would probably have been sold. Moreover, she was the first to find the traces you left in the forest and tracked you all the way here. She is truly an expert in the mountains and fields."

"What!!!" Feng Shengnan could hardly believe it. She looked at the little Pomeranian by the fire, and sure enough, it was barking at the white dog that Qiu Xiaoman had brought.

Although the white dog was injured, with a splint and bandages on its leg, it still tried its best to maintain its elegance, like a little leader inquiring about the progress of its subordinates' work.

The little Pomeranian in front of it was squatting obediently and respectfully.

It barks and barks, and although most people can't understand it, just one look at it will give you the same feeling as Feng Shengnan.

She turned to Qiu Xiaoman and asked, "This Pomeranian is really fierce! But if it bites someone, will it be beaten to death?"

Qiu Xiaoman shook her head: "No, he performed so well, I will recommend him to be a police dog."

"Really! You have that much influence?" Feng Shengnan regained feeling in her limbs and got up to help, dismantling the surrounding fences and X-shaped sharp sticks to prevent accidental injury to other animals.

Then put out the fire.

Qiu Xiaoman also came to help. She was quick and efficient. She said, "Well, I've entered the police dog training base of the Public Security Bureau. I've also rented a courtyard house. Tuantuan and the others are here. If you and Yangyang don't have a place to stay, come to my place first. Okay, let's go. We'll talk on the way."

“Okay, wait!” Feng Shengnan didn’t want to leave any hidden dangers. She glanced at Liu Xiangyang and said, “Why don’t you take a piss on the extinguished fire? It’s safer. If you accidentally leave a spark and start a forest fire, we can’t afford the consequences.”

Liu Xiangyang had no objection, but felt embarrassed by the large number of people.

Seeing this, Qiu Xiaoman had a brief conversation with Huihui and asked Huihui to stay and guide the people who were lagging behind.

Jiang Mingyuan and Liu Xiangyang stayed at the back, found a stick, and used it to pry away the still-warm ashes to cool them down as quickly as possible. Then, with a whoosh, they completely extinguished any remaining embers.

After waiting another five minutes to make sure there were no oversights, the two headed towards the main group.

Liu Xiangyang asked anxiously, "Uncle, do you know the way?"

Jiang Mingyuan was a little annoyed. Uncle? He's only twenty-five, is he that old?

never mind.

He reassured her, "Don't worry, Xiao Qiu left a mark, and there's a dog, isn't there?"

As if in response to his high regard, Grey turned its head and barked, "Human, you won't go wrong following me! Let's go!"

At 1 a.m., everyone returned to the police station. As for the young girl who had initially called the police, she had already been driven back by the local police, who promised to do their best to rescue the carload of dogs.

This busy work lasted all night. Qiu Xiaoman and the others split into three groups: one group took the feverish children to the hospital, and another group chased after them in the direction of Peixian. Although two colleagues had already gone, what if the two traffickers took a back road?

Having more manpower is always a good thing. Besides, if Peixian stops the people, they will need to go there to pick them up.

The last group stayed in the lobby to give statements and verify the whereabouts of other abducted children and their buyers.

Thinking of the painful memories, Feng Shengnan couldn't stop her tears from welling up, but she didn't dare to delay and quickly explained the truth.

Qiu Xiaoman, who was listening nearby, was a little curious: "Why haven't any buyers purchased your product?"

Feng Shengnan recalled the embarrassing memories, her face turning ashen: "Because when they were picking out goods, they would touch and pat them everywhere, like they were buying livestock. Every time they did that, I would open my mouth and bite them."

Qiu Xiaoman suddenly realized that Feng Shengnan must have been beaten, otherwise her face wouldn't have looked so bad.

She stopped asking about such things; Feng Shengnan also had her pride.

After the statement was taken, Feng Shengnan asked, "Did my parents call the police?"

Qiu Xiaoman didn't want to upset her, so she left without saying a word.

Jiang Mingyuan added, "How could that be? It was Xiao Qiu who called the police. She filed a report at the police station the day after you went to the hotel, afraid that something might happen to you."

Feng Shengnan was completely speechless. She was such an idiot!

But she wouldn't give up and asked again, "Do my parents know I was abducted?"

Jiang Mingyuan sighed: "I know."

"Then they must have posted missing person notices?" Feng Shengnan asked, clinging to her last hope for the answer she was looking for.

But no.

Jiang Mingyuan followed Qiu Xiaoman's example and believed that silence was golden.

Feng Shengnan cried. Why did this happen? Why?

What did these kids do wrong?

She didn't understand.

After Jiang Mingyuan left, Qiu Xiaoman came in again: "Come on, let's go to the hotel. We'll think about whether to go back tomorrow."

After all, the two human traffickers who are still at large have not yet been caught.

"Okay." Feng Shengnan lowered her head, silently clenched her teeth, and decided not to ask anything more. Asking would only embarrass her, so why bother?

At 5 a.m. the next day, news came from Peixian that they had stopped a car matching the target's description at the entrance of a slaughterhouse, and the two men in the car had been arrested.

Just then, two groups of people came chasing after them, one to take the people back and the other to arrange for the truck to be driven back, along with the dogs inside.